Forty-six Years In The Army (1897)

John McAllister Schofield (1831-1906) was an American soldier who held major commands during the Civil War. He later served as U.S. Secretary of War and commanding general of the U.S. Army. He served for two years in the artillery, was assistant professor of natural and experimental philosophy at West Point and while on leave was professor of physics at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. When the Civil War broke out, Schofield became a major in a Missouri volunteer regiment and served as chief of staff to Major General Nathaniel Lyon. He acted with "conspicuous gallantry" during the Battle of Wilson's Creek (Missouri) and was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1892 for that action. For his services at Franklin he was awarded the rank of brigadier general in the Regular Army and the brevet rank of major general. From 1876 to 1881, Schofield was superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy. From 1888 until his retirement in 1895, Schofield was commanding general of the U. S. Army. Schofield died at St. Augustine, Florida, and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.